The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Pets & Working Animals => Dogs => Topic started by: HappyHippy on June 18, 2011, 05:16:43 pm

Title: RIP Harley
Post by: HappyHippy on June 18, 2011, 05:16:43 pm
Sad day today  :'( and needing some sympathy !
I had to take my wee dog to get put to sleep. I say 'my', when I left for university years ago my Mum & Dad insisted she stay at home with them, so she was everybody's wee dog really.
She was 14 and just in the last week her breathing went a bit raspy and she seemed really wobbly on her back legs (after a marathon squirrel chasing session I've got to add  ::))
X-rays showed a shadow in her lung and her heart was slightly enlarged and displaced. We tried a course of tablets (anti-inflamatories and anti-biotics) but today she couldn't even get up and although she wasn't in any pain, she just wasn't happy  :'( If she'd been a younger dog we might well have tried an operation, but at 14 my Mum just felt it wasn't worth putting her through it and I agreed  :'(
Lots of tears in our house and poor ol' Boris just isn't himself  :(
Sleep well Little One ......... go get them squirrels  :-*
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: doganjo on June 18, 2011, 05:27:28 pm
Oh, Karen, my heart is with you right now - as you know I lost my big gilr Hester just a few weeks ago and I still miss her so much. There's a tussle for Alpha going on right now and with a bit of luck I'll win ;) ;D   Keep thinking of how she made you laugh chasing after them pesky tree rats! :love:
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: ellisr on June 18, 2011, 05:28:03 pm
So sad when a faithful companion passes on :'( :bouquet:
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: darkbrowneggs on June 18, 2011, 05:29:30 pm
So, so sorry.  You made the right decision, but it doesn't make it easier to bear.  If you hadn't she probably would not have lasted anyway, and also been distressed at the end

A dog is a real "part of the family" and my heart goes out to you

All the best - with heartfelt  sympathy  :bouquet:
Sue
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: Sandy on June 18, 2011, 05:43:51 pm
Sad time when  you loose a part of your life!!!! At least she had a good long life and was loved and looked after (((hugs)))
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: jaykay on June 18, 2011, 05:51:42 pm
It's always sad to lose them  :-* She sounds a real character and it's clear from your post that she was very much loved and had a very happy life  :) in dog heaven there are no achey legs and the squirrels are slow  ;)
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: faith0504 on June 18, 2011, 06:01:49 pm
Thinking about you at this awful time, all the very best,

Rainbow bridge, is full of squirrels  :bouquet: :wave:
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: little blue on June 18, 2011, 06:58:59 pm
sleep well Harley, those rainbow bridge squirrels had better watch out by the sounds of it!
hugs to you and yours HH
:wave:
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: Pony-n-trap on June 18, 2011, 07:46:15 pm
Am so sorry for your loss, it gets you more than you ever realise doesnt it.

You made the right decision and she will always thank you for that.

Run Free at Rainbow Bridge Little One.
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: Rosemary on June 18, 2011, 07:53:55 pm
 :bouquet:
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: JD on June 18, 2011, 09:44:35 pm
So sorry for your loss Karen,

JD
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: tazbabe on June 18, 2011, 10:35:46 pm
aw, so sorry to hear of your loss.

our canine friends really are our best ones!
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: Roxy on June 19, 2011, 12:16:23 am
So sorry for your loss.  It does hit us hard when our dogs, and horses too, go.  They usually live to a grand old age, and have been around forever.  We have 5 dogs all getting on in years, and know the time will come .......it never gets any easier, does it.
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: SallyintNorth on June 19, 2011, 12:40:07 am
Harley was a lucky girl to have a family that loved her and gave her a lovely life - and had the strength to make sure she didn't suffer when her time came.

It's so hard, we miss them so much. 

 :bouquet: & {{{hugs}}} Karen

Sally xx
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: ambriel on June 19, 2011, 01:32:57 am

Really sorry to read this, Karen.

Ultimately it's the greatest trust our pets put in us - knowing when the time is right to call the vet and do the deed.

I had to have my ancient cat put to sleep last summer. I'd had him from a kitten and he went to sleep in my arms - after 23 yrs. He's sleeping in the garden now - no doubt the Kunes keep waking him up :)

Lots and lots of fantastic happy memories though.
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: HappyHippy on June 19, 2011, 08:45:10 am
Thanks everybody  :-*
I knew I could count on my TAS buddies  ;)
Back to my old self today (but still a wee bit sad)
She was a cracking wee dog and she definately didn't deserve to suffer.
Thank you all for your kind words - life must go on.
Karen  :wave:
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: Beewyched on June 19, 2011, 09:12:16 am
Hiya Karen  :-*

I feel so sad for you, I know what it was like for me when I lost my faithful Widget.  I still see her sometimes, when I least expect it, watching over me.  It's got to have been one of the hardest decisions in my life when I took her back to the vet, but I know it was the right thing to do.  They trust us to do the right thing for them & you know when they've had enough.

I like to think of them running healthy & free again, no more pain or distress, the other side of the Rainbow Bridge forever young.

Thinking of you all, lots of hugs.
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: waterhouse on June 19, 2011, 09:23:18 am
What with puppy socialising and being suckers for rescue animals (RSPCA, NAWT, Redwings, cats protection and Blue Cross are all nearby) we've had several dozen assorted dogs, cats and horses over the years and saying goodbye does not get any easier.  At least we have a lot of rich memories.

The very worst, though we smile about it now, was Dillon the weimaraner.  Sitting miserably at the vet on the appointed day our brand new neighbour walked in with her moggy and gave us a cheery greeting.  At which point we both crumpled up in tears and stopped trying to be rational and business-like about what had to be done.

The best - if that's the right expression - have been then ones that have died at home.  Rufus my beloved welsh springer had appalling arthritis because of a road accident.  We took him for a last walk in his favourite bluebell wood and fed him Yorkie bars (he was a chocaholic).  I think we gave our boys a balanced view of life and death.
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: plumseverywhere on June 20, 2011, 04:31:57 pm
Oh Karen, I've only just seen this - I am SO sorry. Its really hard losing a much loved pet - as you know my 13 year old cat Toby was killed on the road just the day before you lost Harley. I am sure they are up in Rainbow bridge enjoying all the things they loved down here - in fact, maybe they are squirreling together?
sending you love
Lisa xxx   
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: Sudanpan on June 20, 2011, 06:40:10 pm
 :dog: :dog:  :bouquet: :bouquet:   :dog: :dog:

{hug}
Title: Re: RIP Harley
Post by: sabrina on June 21, 2011, 06:19:56 pm
Sorry for your loss Karen  :(